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Chester and Gus #1
Chester and Gus
You meet your person and you connect. You know that you’re meant to be together. Then you learn what that person needs and you do it for them. I can’t imagine anything else quite so fulfilling.
Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems like that dream might never come true—until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus, who has autism.
But Gus acts so differently than anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester, and sometimes he doesn’t even want him in the room. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus since this isn’t exactly the job he trained for—but he’s determined to figure it out and show he’s the right dog for the job. Because after all, Gus is now his person.
Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems like that dream might never come true—until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus, who has autism.
But Gus acts so differently than anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester, and sometimes he doesn’t even want him in the room. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus since this isn’t exactly the job he trained for—but he’s determined to figure it out and show he’s the right dog for the job. Because after all, Gus is now his person.
249 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2017
123 people are currently reading
2095 people want to read
About the author
Cammie McGovern
13 books658 followersCammie McGovern was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford and received the Nelson Algren Award in short fiction. Her work has been published in Redbook, Seventeen, Glimmer Train, TriQuarterly, and other publications.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
November 16, 2021
We can just sit near each other and listen to our thoughts. Some of them are mine and some of them are his. That's how it works when you find your person.
Gus has a wonderful story to tell. He is trained to be a service dog, but when unable to remain calm during loud noises he is pulled out of training. Then Chester and his family adopt Gus. Chester's mom wants a companion for her nonverbal, autistic son and hopes that Gus can be a therapy dog at school. There are some interesting twists and turns to the story. It is heartwarming and provides a window into the world of dog therapy -- from the perspective of the dog. Really well done. Kids and adults alike will love this one. Although I read them in the wrong order, there is also a companion book that just came out this fall about Chester's classmate Amelia and a sassy cat named Frankie. You can check it out here: Frankie and Amelia. Both books are heartily recommended!
Gus has a wonderful story to tell. He is trained to be a service dog, but when unable to remain calm during loud noises he is pulled out of training. Then Chester and his family adopt Gus. Chester's mom wants a companion for her nonverbal, autistic son and hopes that Gus can be a therapy dog at school. There are some interesting twists and turns to the story. It is heartwarming and provides a window into the world of dog therapy -- from the perspective of the dog. Really well done. Kids and adults alike will love this one. Although I read them in the wrong order, there is also a companion book that just came out this fall about Chester's classmate Amelia and a sassy cat named Frankie. You can check it out here: Frankie and Amelia. Both books are heartily recommended!
December 24, 2016
From E.C.Polonsky., age 8
This is my favorite book so far.
Chester and Gus is about a service dog that goes through training but does not succeed. Then he meets his person and his name is Gus. Gus has autism. Chester and Gus are at first scared of each other but when Chester settles in they start to talk through their minds. Then later in the book they realize that Gus has epilepsy and Chester can smell the change in his brain so he can detect 15 to 20 minutes before he will have a seizure.
My favorite part in the book was when Penny’s mom can hear Chester and tells Penny to take him back home to Gus.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes dogs.
This is my favorite book so far.
Chester and Gus is about a service dog that goes through training but does not succeed. Then he meets his person and his name is Gus. Gus has autism. Chester and Gus are at first scared of each other but when Chester settles in they start to talk through their minds. Then later in the book they realize that Gus has epilepsy and Chester can smell the change in his brain so he can detect 15 to 20 minutes before he will have a seizure.
My favorite part in the book was when Penny’s mom can hear Chester and tells Penny to take him back home to Gus.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes dogs.
January 7, 2017
Thanks to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for early access to this book.
EXCELLENT story! Very true to life. The story line is compelling and very hard to put down. I had to read to the end to find out what happened. The characters are so alive and realistic, I became very invested in the outcome of the story. While a fantasy, it gives a wonderfully realistic picture of autism and the challenges and triumphs it presents in the lives of people who have this condition and their families. I LOVED Chester! What a unique and wonderful voice! I think kids would love this story, as well as adults. There's a lot here for all ages. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
EXCELLENT story! Very true to life. The story line is compelling and very hard to put down. I had to read to the end to find out what happened. The characters are so alive and realistic, I became very invested in the outcome of the story. While a fantasy, it gives a wonderfully realistic picture of autism and the challenges and triumphs it presents in the lives of people who have this condition and their families. I LOVED Chester! What a unique and wonderful voice! I think kids would love this story, as well as adults. There's a lot here for all ages. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
April 8, 2017
Based on an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) of the book....
What would you do if you realized that the one thing, the singular purpose of your life, was to help someone else, one particular person, and it wasn't at all clear how to do that? In this book we meet Chester, a very smart dog who flunked out of service-dog school because of his fear of loud noises, who ends up being adopted by a family with an autistic son named Gus, in the hopes that Chester will help Gus... somehow. Chester, who knows his life purpose is to help his person, is raring to go but with Gus it is really really hard to know what to do because it seems like Gus doesn't even want Chester anywhere near him. Eventually, though, slowly, Chester figures out ways to be helpful and this wonderful story unfolds.
The story is told through Chester's voice, with somewhat over the top near human language skills, and an early realization that although Chester can understand much of what humans say to him, he doesn't have the ability through his barks, yips, whines, other sounds or expressions to communicate back to humans on anything near an even paw. One of the things that I found striking about Chester is that his dilemma may not be unlike that of a person on the autism spectrum, feeling certain things, desperately wanting certain things, truly trying to communicate certain things, but unable to get the people around him to understand because they don't share a common vocabulary.
The author, Cammie McGovern, has created a terrific story, compelling, sometimes funny, sometimes really sad, sometimes scary, but always making you want to continue reading to see what happens next. Lots of characters to really like, some to dislike, but you can understand where all of them are coming from and why they behave as they do.
For anyone who loves stories with dogs at the very center this will be a great read. It will also help introduce people to what it is like to live with and care for someone on the autism spectrum, provide insights into what might be going on inside that person's mind, and teach how one might learn to more positively interact with someone on the spectrum. Stopping, observing, exercising patience and being willing to make mistakes and recover from them are all rewarded in this story and of course in real life.
The joy of truly connecting, realizing that you are, in fact, making a positive difference, is priceless and my hope is that this book will empower readers to make that kind of connection. Chester certainly got his reward for all he did, his person, Gus.
What would you do if you realized that the one thing, the singular purpose of your life, was to help someone else, one particular person, and it wasn't at all clear how to do that? In this book we meet Chester, a very smart dog who flunked out of service-dog school because of his fear of loud noises, who ends up being adopted by a family with an autistic son named Gus, in the hopes that Chester will help Gus... somehow. Chester, who knows his life purpose is to help his person, is raring to go but with Gus it is really really hard to know what to do because it seems like Gus doesn't even want Chester anywhere near him. Eventually, though, slowly, Chester figures out ways to be helpful and this wonderful story unfolds.
The story is told through Chester's voice, with somewhat over the top near human language skills, and an early realization that although Chester can understand much of what humans say to him, he doesn't have the ability through his barks, yips, whines, other sounds or expressions to communicate back to humans on anything near an even paw. One of the things that I found striking about Chester is that his dilemma may not be unlike that of a person on the autism spectrum, feeling certain things, desperately wanting certain things, truly trying to communicate certain things, but unable to get the people around him to understand because they don't share a common vocabulary.
The author, Cammie McGovern, has created a terrific story, compelling, sometimes funny, sometimes really sad, sometimes scary, but always making you want to continue reading to see what happens next. Lots of characters to really like, some to dislike, but you can understand where all of them are coming from and why they behave as they do.
For anyone who loves stories with dogs at the very center this will be a great read. It will also help introduce people to what it is like to live with and care for someone on the autism spectrum, provide insights into what might be going on inside that person's mind, and teach how one might learn to more positively interact with someone on the spectrum. Stopping, observing, exercising patience and being willing to make mistakes and recover from them are all rewarded in this story and of course in real life.
The joy of truly connecting, realizing that you are, in fact, making a positive difference, is priceless and my hope is that this book will empower readers to make that kind of connection. Chester certainly got his reward for all he did, his person, Gus.
January 9, 2017
I really loved this book! I'm probably going to put this as a Staff Pick at the bookstore I work at for a few reasons:
1) What a great way to introduce autism to a young reader who doesn't necessarily know what that means! By having Chester, our canine narrator, learn about Gus and how he thinks, kids (and adults!) can see a genuine, judgment free exploration of how autism can manifest. Dogs love unconditionally, so having a narrator that loves Gus and just accepts his differences is a great way to increase a reader's awareness and understanding of people with autism. (For instance, instead of thinking things like, "Gus doesn't like me near him. That's weird." Chester thinks in terms of "Gus doesn't like me near him. I wonder why? I'll keep my distance until I figure it out." which leads to objective thinking about the situation and not negative judgment.)
2) This book is also about fear - the parents' fear for the safety and happiness of their son, Chester's fear of loud noises, the school administration's fear of disruption to routine, etc. But they are all presented as reasonable and valid, and they are overcome, to varying degrees. There's also a great bit about confidence between Penny and Chester towards the end of the book, and I like how this book stresses that you don't have to be super confident or never afraid to be loved.
3) In general, I absolutely love middle reader books. They can be a lot of fun, but they also deal with some heavy stuff, which is important. Just because we'd rather not have 8 year olds think about and deal with bullying, poverty, and death doesn't mean that 8 year olds around the world don't experience it. Kudos to Ms. McGovern for showing that she can absolutely tackle this genre and do it successfully. I can't wait to read her other books! (And she does great work out in western MA, so hopefully I'll get to meet her or at least volunteer with the program when I'm out there next year!)
Happy Reading!
~Katie
1) What a great way to introduce autism to a young reader who doesn't necessarily know what that means! By having Chester, our canine narrator, learn about Gus and how he thinks, kids (and adults!) can see a genuine, judgment free exploration of how autism can manifest. Dogs love unconditionally, so having a narrator that loves Gus and just accepts his differences is a great way to increase a reader's awareness and understanding of people with autism. (For instance, instead of thinking things like, "Gus doesn't like me near him. That's weird." Chester thinks in terms of "Gus doesn't like me near him. I wonder why? I'll keep my distance until I figure it out." which leads to objective thinking about the situation and not negative judgment.)
2) This book is also about fear - the parents' fear for the safety and happiness of their son, Chester's fear of loud noises, the school administration's fear of disruption to routine, etc. But they are all presented as reasonable and valid, and they are overcome, to varying degrees. There's also a great bit about confidence between Penny and Chester towards the end of the book, and I like how this book stresses that you don't have to be super confident or never afraid to be loved.
3) In general, I absolutely love middle reader books. They can be a lot of fun, but they also deal with some heavy stuff, which is important. Just because we'd rather not have 8 year olds think about and deal with bullying, poverty, and death doesn't mean that 8 year olds around the world don't experience it. Kudos to Ms. McGovern for showing that she can absolutely tackle this genre and do it successfully. I can't wait to read her other books! (And she does great work out in western MA, so hopefully I'll get to meet her or at least volunteer with the program when I'm out there next year!)
Happy Reading!
~Katie
March 3, 2020
3/20/2017 ** You know it's a good book when you wake up at three in the morning with the narrator talking in your head and heart. Chester, an unlicensed service dog, completely won me over. He sees so clearly what Gus needs - Gus who is autistic, who's started having seizures, and who has secrets at school. Chester's narration gives voice to the voiceless, showing the reader how much is going on in Gus's world that his parents and school staff don't see. Even while we understand so much more about Gus, we can poignantly feel Chester's frustration about not being able to clearly communicate with the people in his life.
I already have students in mind who will be captured by the dog's tale, students who may or may not have an autistic child in their lives, but who certainly have an an outsider peer. I am also really excited to share this book with our staff who work with two interesting autistic students on a daily basis.
Note 1: Okay, I guess it's really not realistic fiction. I mean the dog talks, right? But it's not really fantasy, either. All the situations are thoroughly grounded in our world - we just get everything through the perspective of the dog.
Note 2: I read an ARC provided by the publisher because Ms. McGovern will be doing an author visit at my school.
I already have students in mind who will be captured by the dog's tale, students who may or may not have an autistic child in their lives, but who certainly have an an outsider peer. I am also really excited to share this book with our staff who work with two interesting autistic students on a daily basis.
Note 1: Okay, I guess it's really not realistic fiction. I mean the dog talks, right? But it's not really fantasy, either. All the situations are thoroughly grounded in our world - we just get everything through the perspective of the dog.
Note 2: I read an ARC provided by the publisher because Ms. McGovern will be doing an author visit at my school.
February 3, 2017
Gus is autistic. Chester is a therapy dog in training. Gus needs something or someone to help him break the barrier between himself and the world. Chester knows he is the dog to accomplish this. Such a heart warming story. Loved it!
April 12, 2017
I wish I could give this more stars. I read it in an afternoon. I love Chester. I love Gus.
I love a dog story that has so much happiness and joy and hope. You know, like a dog.
I love this book.
I love a dog story that has so much happiness and joy and hope. You know, like a dog.
I love this book.
November 12, 2020
Please note that this review comes from my point of view as an actual autistic.
So, I have mixed feelings about Chester and Gus. I was super excited to read this one - I absolutely adore dogs, and as I mentioned at the beginning of my review, I myself am autistic. In fact, when I was younger my parents actually talked to me as if they were my dog (my dog had her own 'voice' that they would talk to me in), as it was the only way I would actually respond to them. So Chester and Gus sounded right up my alley. I enjoyed it, for the most part, and the autism rep was done pretty well. However, it was written for kids, and I'm not quite sure how much kids would actually enjoy it? It definitely feels like an adult writing for kids, versus an actual kids book - I was sort of expecting something with a little more of the silliness/whimsy that you'll often find in Middle Grade books featuring dogs that talk/think like humans (à la Duncan Bell's Selby series).
The autism rep was done pretty well - we saw great examples of many autistic traits such as stimming, sensory overload, being non-verbal & difficulty with social interactions. Obviously, every autistic experience is different, but this did a pretty good job at representing one experience of autism. I also suspect that one of Gus' classmates, Amelia, was also autistic, so it was nice to see two different experiences of autism, and I enjoyed seeing the epilepsy rep, as we don't commonly see this in books, particularly in a crossover with autism. I found it interesting how Chester (the dog) was also used to showcase autistic traits/experiences, particularly in the beginning of the novel - he gets overwhelmed by loud noises, people don't understand what he's 'saying' to them, he doesn't understand jokes, needs people to explain things sometimes, etc.
I will say that while the autism rep was pretty good, there were some parts that were incorrect, particularly when talking about non-verbal communication. Two scenes in particular stand out to me - when Gus came home from school hurt, and Sarah, his Mum, said that he was autistic so of course he couldn't tell them what happened, and the quote 'As any parent of a young child with autism can tell you, non-verbal communication is an essential piece of getting through most days.' Both of these instances refer to non-verbal communication, which is a fairly common autistic trait, and many autistics that have the ability to verbally communicate don't always have this ability. However, not all autistics are non-verbal, and even those that are have other ways that they can communicate, so these two passages were incorrect and felt like they were being condescending to autistics, particularly those that are non-verbal. I also wish that the book had taken a stronger stance against ABA - for those that know what ABA is, the book did appear to be against it, from Gus & Chester's reactions, but I think that this would go over the head of any kids, who would see this as just being about mean teachers, rather than an overlying problem.
While I appreciated that Chester and Gus didn't sugarcoat things, in terms of how rough the experience of being autistic in a neurotypical world can be, I felt like the plot wasn't very well rounded (it didn't particularly have a plot), and I'm just not really sure that this book appeals to its target audience, or that it even really fits any audience I can think of. It's a bit too serious/technical at times to appeal to a younger audience, and a bit too simple (in terms of plot, writing, characters, etc.) at times to appeal to an older audience, so I'm just not really sure where it fits in the scheme of things. I think that if there had been a bit more 'silliness', it would be much more appealing to the Middle Grade audience - whilst I enjoyed it and don't think it was bad per se, I just don't think it would have mass appeal to children (some would like it, but I don't think most would be very entertained). I also felt like at times, Chester (the dog) felt a bit too much like an adult talking in a way that an adult thinks kids would understand, rather than actually talking like a child, or in a way that children would enjoy. So while this was a fairly enjoyable, quick read for me, I think Chester and Gus failed in the aspect that it didn't pick a target audience and tailor to them, so it's sort of left in a bit of No Man's Land.
So, I have mixed feelings about Chester and Gus. I was super excited to read this one - I absolutely adore dogs, and as I mentioned at the beginning of my review, I myself am autistic. In fact, when I was younger my parents actually talked to me as if they were my dog (my dog had her own 'voice' that they would talk to me in), as it was the only way I would actually respond to them. So Chester and Gus sounded right up my alley. I enjoyed it, for the most part, and the autism rep was done pretty well. However, it was written for kids, and I'm not quite sure how much kids would actually enjoy it? It definitely feels like an adult writing for kids, versus an actual kids book - I was sort of expecting something with a little more of the silliness/whimsy that you'll often find in Middle Grade books featuring dogs that talk/think like humans (à la Duncan Bell's Selby series).
The autism rep was done pretty well - we saw great examples of many autistic traits such as stimming, sensory overload, being non-verbal & difficulty with social interactions. Obviously, every autistic experience is different, but this did a pretty good job at representing one experience of autism. I also suspect that one of Gus' classmates, Amelia, was also autistic, so it was nice to see two different experiences of autism, and I enjoyed seeing the epilepsy rep, as we don't commonly see this in books, particularly in a crossover with autism. I found it interesting how Chester (the dog) was also used to showcase autistic traits/experiences, particularly in the beginning of the novel - he gets overwhelmed by loud noises, people don't understand what he's 'saying' to them, he doesn't understand jokes, needs people to explain things sometimes, etc.
I will say that while the autism rep was pretty good, there were some parts that were incorrect, particularly when talking about non-verbal communication. Two scenes in particular stand out to me - when Gus came home from school hurt, and Sarah, his Mum, said that he was autistic so of course he couldn't tell them what happened, and the quote 'As any parent of a young child with autism can tell you, non-verbal communication is an essential piece of getting through most days.' Both of these instances refer to non-verbal communication, which is a fairly common autistic trait, and many autistics that have the ability to verbally communicate don't always have this ability. However, not all autistics are non-verbal, and even those that are have other ways that they can communicate, so these two passages were incorrect and felt like they were being condescending to autistics, particularly those that are non-verbal. I also wish that the book had taken a stronger stance against ABA - for those that know what ABA is, the book did appear to be against it, from Gus & Chester's reactions, but I think that this would go over the head of any kids, who would see this as just being about mean teachers, rather than an overlying problem.
While I appreciated that Chester and Gus didn't sugarcoat things, in terms of how rough the experience of being autistic in a neurotypical world can be, I felt like the plot wasn't very well rounded (it didn't particularly have a plot), and I'm just not really sure that this book appeals to its target audience, or that it even really fits any audience I can think of. It's a bit too serious/technical at times to appeal to a younger audience, and a bit too simple (in terms of plot, writing, characters, etc.) at times to appeal to an older audience, so I'm just not really sure where it fits in the scheme of things. I think that if there had been a bit more 'silliness', it would be much more appealing to the Middle Grade audience - whilst I enjoyed it and don't think it was bad per se, I just don't think it would have mass appeal to children (some would like it, but I don't think most would be very entertained). I also felt like at times, Chester (the dog) felt a bit too much like an adult talking in a way that an adult thinks kids would understand, rather than actually talking like a child, or in a way that children would enjoy. So while this was a fairly enjoyable, quick read for me, I think Chester and Gus failed in the aspect that it didn't pick a target audience and tailor to them, so it's sort of left in a bit of No Man's Land.
August 9, 2017
Chester, a chocolate lab, would have been a perfect service dog except for his fear of loud noises. Unable to be certified, Chester is chosen by the parents of a 10 year-old nonverbal boy with autism named Gus, hoping that Chester’s help, Gus will be able to attend public school. At first, Gus won’t even let Chester near him, but slowly allows to the dog near him. For his part, Chester knows he has found the person he was meant to be with.
Gus’s mother Sara is desperate for her son to be able to go the school with other children, and acting out of that desperation, she deceptively presents Chester as a certified service dog to the school’s principal. Placed in a classroom, Chester is a hit with the other students who basically ignore Gus. But not everyone is happy about having Chester around. A boy named Ed resents not being allowed to bring his dog to school, and the other fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Palmer, doesn’t want a dog distracting students and disrupting school routine. One bright spot for Gus is Mama, a cafeteria worker who loads the dishwasher and who simply accepts Gus for who he is.
But when it comes to light that Chester is not really a certified service dog, the principal tells Sara he can no longer accompany Gus to school until he is certified. But on Chester’s last day of school, he and Gus get separated during a fire drill, Gus is found in a closet unconscious and later diagnosed as having a seizure. Kept home from school for a few weeks, when Gus returns without Chester, he is badly beaten up by Ed, the class bully.
Sara decides to have Chester certified as a seizure response dog, and calls Penny, the person who originally trained him. But Penny has always had other ideas for Chester; convinced that he is an unusually intelligent dog, she wants to teach him to read and has not intention of returning Chester to Gus.
Will Chester ever return to his person, Gus?
Chester and Gus is a story that will certainly pull at your heartstrings, particularly because the narrated point of view is done by a dog who connects with the boy for whom he was chosen. I thought this anthropomorphism was a particularly effective literary strategy for a book that is concerned with the limits of communication in order to be understood. Chester may understand much of what is going on with Gus, but he has no way of telling anyone. Gus can communicate with Chester, but not with the rest of the world. It feels like a real catch-22 and McGovern really has presented this frustrating situation successfully without resorting to being too ridiculous.
And she has really captured Sara’s desperation for her son to be part of the world so well, but also the resistance from people who don’t understand or care about autistic children being able to gain some level of independent. When I was teaching, I didn’t run into too many Mrs. Palmers, but there were some who just couldn’t be flexible.
Two things did bother me. While I could understand Sara’s motives, I didn’t like her deceiving the principal to get what she wanted. And I felt that Ms. Cooper, the teacher’s aide assigned to Gus, never really noticed what was going on with him at school, and she certainly should have been reprimanded for not staying with him during the fire drill. Instead. blame fell solely on Chester’s head for abandoning Gus.
Writing a book about an basically nonverbal autistic character isn’t an easy thing to do, but McGovern has succeeded at giving the reader a glimpse into what life is like for the children and their families.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was an EARC received from Edelweiss+
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
Gus’s mother Sara is desperate for her son to be able to go the school with other children, and acting out of that desperation, she deceptively presents Chester as a certified service dog to the school’s principal. Placed in a classroom, Chester is a hit with the other students who basically ignore Gus. But not everyone is happy about having Chester around. A boy named Ed resents not being allowed to bring his dog to school, and the other fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Palmer, doesn’t want a dog distracting students and disrupting school routine. One bright spot for Gus is Mama, a cafeteria worker who loads the dishwasher and who simply accepts Gus for who he is.
But when it comes to light that Chester is not really a certified service dog, the principal tells Sara he can no longer accompany Gus to school until he is certified. But on Chester’s last day of school, he and Gus get separated during a fire drill, Gus is found in a closet unconscious and later diagnosed as having a seizure. Kept home from school for a few weeks, when Gus returns without Chester, he is badly beaten up by Ed, the class bully.
Sara decides to have Chester certified as a seizure response dog, and calls Penny, the person who originally trained him. But Penny has always had other ideas for Chester; convinced that he is an unusually intelligent dog, she wants to teach him to read and has not intention of returning Chester to Gus.
Will Chester ever return to his person, Gus?
Chester and Gus is a story that will certainly pull at your heartstrings, particularly because the narrated point of view is done by a dog who connects with the boy for whom he was chosen. I thought this anthropomorphism was a particularly effective literary strategy for a book that is concerned with the limits of communication in order to be understood. Chester may understand much of what is going on with Gus, but he has no way of telling anyone. Gus can communicate with Chester, but not with the rest of the world. It feels like a real catch-22 and McGovern really has presented this frustrating situation successfully without resorting to being too ridiculous.
And she has really captured Sara’s desperation for her son to be part of the world so well, but also the resistance from people who don’t understand or care about autistic children being able to gain some level of independent. When I was teaching, I didn’t run into too many Mrs. Palmers, but there were some who just couldn’t be flexible.
Two things did bother me. While I could understand Sara’s motives, I didn’t like her deceiving the principal to get what she wanted. And I felt that Ms. Cooper, the teacher’s aide assigned to Gus, never really noticed what was going on with him at school, and she certainly should have been reprimanded for not staying with him during the fire drill. Instead. blame fell solely on Chester’s head for abandoning Gus.
Writing a book about an basically nonverbal autistic character isn’t an easy thing to do, but McGovern has succeeded at giving the reader a glimpse into what life is like for the children and their families.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was an EARC received from Edelweiss+
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
February 22, 2017
Chester has my heart! Written from the POV of an almost-service dog as he (Chester) tries to build a relationship with his human, Gus, who happens to be autistic. This book will make you laugh, cry, and remind you why dogs truly are man's best friend. A MUST add to your library.
August 26, 2019
Chester is a chocolate lab who has "failed" the service animal course due to his fear of loud noises.
Gus is a fifth grader who has extreme autism.
The story is told in Chester's voice and observances.
Gus's family adopts Chester in hopes that he will be able to possibly help cause a break-through with Gus. However, when Gus first meets Chester he screams and screams and screams, causing poor Chester to flee and hide. Maybe this wasn't a good idea, but Chester decides to "talk" to Gus through thoughts. Interesting idea, at first Gus is unresponsive to Chester's conversations (which is always printed in italics for the reader), slowly and surely Gus begins to respond with one or two words back.
Gus's mother convinces the school that Gus attends that Chester needs to be with Gus in his classroom - naturally, there is one teacher who objects to this arrangement.
Chester does have a special service talent - smell of impending health issue "attacks", which is discovered the day of the fire drill that drives Gus to hiding in a closet, and Chester overcomes his fear of loud noises to find Gus.
The author writes from experience of having an autistic child.
Gus is a fifth grader who has extreme autism.
The story is told in Chester's voice and observances.
Gus's family adopts Chester in hopes that he will be able to possibly help cause a break-through with Gus. However, when Gus first meets Chester he screams and screams and screams, causing poor Chester to flee and hide. Maybe this wasn't a good idea, but Chester decides to "talk" to Gus through thoughts. Interesting idea, at first Gus is unresponsive to Chester's conversations (which is always printed in italics for the reader), slowly and surely Gus begins to respond with one or two words back.
Gus's mother convinces the school that Gus attends that Chester needs to be with Gus in his classroom - naturally, there is one teacher who objects to this arrangement.
Chester does have a special service talent - smell of impending health issue "attacks", which is discovered the day of the fire drill that drives Gus to hiding in a closet, and Chester overcomes his fear of loud noises to find Gus.
The author writes from experience of having an autistic child.
November 25, 2016
Wonderful book! Many times I have read books told from a dog's point of view that are fun, light, and entertaining. Those are great books, but then books like this come along and act as mirrors and windows into life allowing you to connect and learn more about topics that are important, but we might not know a lot about. Well this book is one of those books.
It is a wonderful book, told through a dog's perspective (Chester) about autism, seizures, and service and therapy dos. It has SO many teachable moments and opportunities for discussion. It also has so many opportunities for adults to reflect upon the diverse needs of students and challenge our entrenched assumptions about what people need to succeed. I just feel like this is such a great window for all.
I was trying to think of a book I could compare this to and I kept coming back to one title. A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin. I say this because both book are emotionally complex. They are very different from each other story wise , but the emotional complexity and voice had me connecting.
I would definitely put this on your 2017 to read list. Cammie does an amazing job of pulling you in and teaching you about social emotional topics in such a rich and authentic way.
It is a wonderful book, told through a dog's perspective (Chester) about autism, seizures, and service and therapy dos. It has SO many teachable moments and opportunities for discussion. It also has so many opportunities for adults to reflect upon the diverse needs of students and challenge our entrenched assumptions about what people need to succeed. I just feel like this is such a great window for all.
I was trying to think of a book I could compare this to and I kept coming back to one title. A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin. I say this because both book are emotionally complex. They are very different from each other story wise , but the emotional complexity and voice had me connecting.
I would definitely put this on your 2017 to read list. Cammie does an amazing job of pulling you in and teaching you about social emotional topics in such a rich and authentic way.
October 21, 2018
It’s a sweet story, but the human characters weren’t as well-rounded as I’d have liked. I was frustrated that Gus’ mom was just a ball of nerves and anxiety while his dad was eternally cool-headed. I did tear up at reading the afterword, though, and how McGovern was inspired to write this.
June 15, 2017
My 10 yo son and I read this as a buddy read and both really enjoyed it! Full review to come.
December 3, 2018
First, let me begin by saying that I am a dog lover! We had three dogs until our oldest one, Buddy, died. Now we have two: a lab/border collie mix, Rocky, and a Bichon Frise (the most adorable dogs) named Jazzmine, Jazz, Jazzy, depending on our mood and hers.
I needed a book for a challenge, so I headed to B&N and talked with a couple ladies that work there and they led me to this one which I bought for my granddaughter for her birthday. I was pleasantly surprised to come home after reading a few pages in her book and find my own copy I borrowed for free. (Okay, TMI? Sorry!)
This story is told from Chester's (Chess's) POV. It is the cutest thing ever. Poor Chester couldn't pass the training test to be a certified service dog, but his trainer was bound and determined that he got into a good home where he could show them what he could do. She taught him to "read" cards, fetch a few things, and some other "tricks," but the thing no one can teach their animal is to have a real heart.
Chester is that one dog who will steal your heart, perhaps when you first meet him but more likely as you get to know him. He is a bit nervous, so he's afraid of noise and he ends up in a home with an autistic boy named Gus, who is a bit afraid of noises also, such as barking. Even though we know dogs can't really talk, we owners often believe that they are thinking something or just smiled at us or are trying to tell us XY and Z. Well, we get inside the head and thoughts of Chester and I think the author must know dogs pretty well to do as good of a job as I thought she did.
This story of Chester and Gus isn't what I'd call a sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat story; however, it did make me want to know what would happen next. Chess's first "job" was to go to school with Gus and help him "socialize" more with the children, which is a chore for some autistic people. It is such a good book to introduce children especially to autism and how some people function with it. I know my granddaughter knows nothing about autistic people so I let me daughter know she'll want to talk with her about if so she can more fully appreciate Gus's interactions and lack of them.
Recommendation: Please read this sweet book about Chester and Gus and how one dog can affect a little boy in a very positive way and vice-versa.
I needed a book for a challenge, so I headed to B&N and talked with a couple ladies that work there and they led me to this one which I bought for my granddaughter for her birthday. I was pleasantly surprised to come home after reading a few pages in her book and find my own copy I borrowed for free. (Okay, TMI? Sorry!)
This story is told from Chester's (Chess's) POV. It is the cutest thing ever. Poor Chester couldn't pass the training test to be a certified service dog, but his trainer was bound and determined that he got into a good home where he could show them what he could do. She taught him to "read" cards, fetch a few things, and some other "tricks," but the thing no one can teach their animal is to have a real heart.
Chester is that one dog who will steal your heart, perhaps when you first meet him but more likely as you get to know him. He is a bit nervous, so he's afraid of noise and he ends up in a home with an autistic boy named Gus, who is a bit afraid of noises also, such as barking. Even though we know dogs can't really talk, we owners often believe that they are thinking something or just smiled at us or are trying to tell us XY and Z. Well, we get inside the head and thoughts of Chester and I think the author must know dogs pretty well to do as good of a job as I thought she did.
This story of Chester and Gus isn't what I'd call a sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat story; however, it did make me want to know what would happen next. Chess's first "job" was to go to school with Gus and help him "socialize" more with the children, which is a chore for some autistic people. It is such a good book to introduce children especially to autism and how some people function with it. I know my granddaughter knows nothing about autistic people so I let me daughter know she'll want to talk with her about if so she can more fully appreciate Gus's interactions and lack of them.
Recommendation: Please read this sweet book about Chester and Gus and how one dog can affect a little boy in a very positive way and vice-versa.
April 24, 2017
I won this book as a ARC giveaway from Goodreads.
This was an amazing book. It was a little too real for me in places-but honestly that just made it even better and grab me more. I spent most of my time reading this book with tears in my eyes for that reason, but I also spent time laughing and smiling. The isolation Chester and Gus feel and the companionship they share is so relatable. Perhaps we can talk, but often we feel like no one is listening. I also felt a lot of kinship with Amelia. I didn't want this book to end, but it was a relatively cute ending. I'm probably going to try to find more of this author's work to read. This book really got me though-maybe it wasn't the best choice for a train read. It's more the type you want to sit down with and just dive into.
This was an amazing book. It was a little too real for me in places-but honestly that just made it even better and grab me more. I spent most of my time reading this book with tears in my eyes for that reason, but I also spent time laughing and smiling. The isolation Chester and Gus feel and the companionship they share is so relatable. Perhaps we can talk, but often we feel like no one is listening. I also felt a lot of kinship with Amelia. I didn't want this book to end, but it was a relatively cute ending. I'm probably going to try to find more of this author's work to read. This book really got me though-maybe it wasn't the best choice for a train read. It's more the type you want to sit down with and just dive into.
April 1, 2017
Absolutely wonderful book! Chester finds his person and fights to both keep him and help him! Very heartwarming!
March 6, 2017
Oh my goodness. This book. Told from Chester's, the dog, point of view tells an amazing story about finding your person as a failed service dog. So many themes woven in the story line that can apply to children in their every day life. I absolutely will recommend to grades 3-7!
May 4, 2017
What a powerful book. The reader is really given insight into the workings of a autistic child and how their thinking may be different then ours. The storytelling device of telling the story from the dog's perspective is brilliant. A great read for students in grades 3-5 who really like realistic fiction.
May 22, 2017
This book has so many wonderful points to recommend.
First it brings some attention and understanding to autism, from several views - the parents, the school, the dog and the child.
Children with special needs require a creative twist. Dogs like Chester have a special gift.
Putting them together gave Chester purpose and Gus a voice.
The messages are many here but the most resounding is that having a purpose, being able to do a job, to be helpful, is a wonderful feeling.
First it brings some attention and understanding to autism, from several views - the parents, the school, the dog and the child.
Children with special needs require a creative twist. Dogs like Chester have a special gift.
Putting them together gave Chester purpose and Gus a voice.
The messages are many here but the most resounding is that having a purpose, being able to do a job, to be helpful, is a wonderful feeling.
October 2, 2020
Gus is a teen boy with nonverbal autism, when his service dog Chester is adopted into the family he doesn’t know how to act. Chester doesn’t know why Gus acts any differently than other owners. Chester was the litter of his runt, always feeling far behind, and never good enough compared to the rest of his siblings. He always had the dream of being a service dog, but once he failed his test, he never thought that it could be possible for him. Cheser struggles to gain this boy’s trust, as he shows Chester little affection, and love. Chester doesn’t know how to help Gus, because he doesn’t feel accepted by him. However, throughout the story, Chester tries to create a bond with Gus, and learn his boundaries throughout the house. This is Chester’s first task as a service dog, and he is determined to do anything he can to make is great. As he struggles and overcomes many challenges with this it creates an unbreakable bond between the two boys. For my interview, I will be interviewing the character, Chester. He is a service dog struggling to make a connection with a teen boy named Gus. Chester was always told that he wasn’t good enough, but he is going to try as hard as he can to create a bond between him and Gus.
For the interview, I am choosing to be myself, or even someone who goes to visit the house regularly to see how Chester is doing as a service dog. I visit their house to make sure that Chester is doing his job correctly and also help train him to help further benefit his relationship with Gus.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I would describe myself as a very energetic, and generous person. I enjoy making others happy and helping them, which is my job as a service dog. In order to create a relationship with Gus, I have to be peaceful, calm, and respectful. I need to learn my boundaries around him for us to create a stable, and healthy bond.
Q: Describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
A: Some influence in my past that led me to do the things that I do today is my mother. She was always such an influence on me and my siblings. She always believed in me no matter the circumstances. She pushed me to always try harder, and always be yourself. I took these words from her as I used them to create a relationship with Gus.
Q: What is the one thing you want more than anything and what’s stopping you from getting it?
A: One thing I want more than anything is to one, create an amazing relationship with Gus, and two continue working as a service dog, and officially get certified. Some things that are stopping me from getting it, and achieving these goals is self-confidence. I need to learn to have more trust in myself and learn to always trust my instincts.
Q: Who is your best friend and why?
A: My best friend is Gus. Throughout this period of time, we have created such a strong and unbreakable bond, that I would trade for the world. We both help each other in our everyday lives and look up the other one as our role models. We started off our friendship with no bond, and now the bond that we have created between us will last forever. Gus never fails to make me smile and laugh, and I know that we both support each other no matter what.
Q: What is one thing you walked away from these events learning?
A: One thing that I walked away from these events learning is that I should always believe in myself. I had a tough childhood and never really had a support system through my siblings. I was pretty much on my own for the start of my life. When I started as a service dog, I had a lot of trouble learning to trust people again, as time passed I learned to rely on people who have your best interest at heart.
Q: What are three words you’d use to describe yourself and why those three words?
A: Three words that I would use to describe myself are energetic, respectful, and supportive. I chose these three words because this is how I feel I treated Gus while I was his service dog. When I first started working with Gus, I started off energetic, because I had never worked with anyone before. As time went on, I learned my boundaries around the house and learned to accept that Gus didn’t always need me. By doing this, it showed Gus that even if I wasn’t with him, he still had my support, and I could help him in any situation that he needed me to.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far, why?
A: My greatest achievement in life so far, would probably be leaning to become a service dog on my own, with no help, and learning to work with Gus. At the beginning when I first started this job, it wasn’t easy for me to connect with Gus. We needed to develop a relationship between us, and learn how to work with each other. Once we achieved this, it created an unbreakable bond between us, that will last forever.
Q: How do you feel about your surroundings (setting) and why?
A: I feel that my environment when I was younger was toxic, I never felt that I was able to speak up around my siblings, and I always felt like the underdog. I never knew how to act around people, and I didn’t have enough confidence like the rest of my siblings. Once I moved to Gus’ house I needed to learn my new environment, and adapt to my new surroundings.
Q: Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help and why?
A: If I was in desperate need of help, I would turn to Gus. I know that he is always there to support me, and help me if I was ever in need. We have developed a very strong friendship between each other, and have learned to accept each other’s differences and grow as a whole.
Q: Name three things you consider yourself to be good at, and three things you consider yourself to be bad at.
A: Three things that I consider myself to be good at are, understanding people’s differences and learning to accept them, helping others when in need, and putting them before myself. Lastly, learning to adapt to a constant change. Three things that I consider myself to be bad at are, having confidence in myself, and believing that I can do it, learning to respect the fact that I’m not always needed. Lastly, is to learn that it is okay to have boundaries, and set rules between each other because that is what develops a stable relationship.
This book had such a strong toll on my emotions. Chester and Gus developed their relationship in so many different ways, and in the end, they both ended up helping one and another. As time went on they learned to respect each other’s differences and change themselves for the better. The characters develop throughout the story and learn to accept change. Each character experienced their own hardships as a kid, but while Chester and Gus worked together, it benefited both of them. The connection between the characters started off slow in the beginning, but as time went on they both learned to adapt to the new change, and to each other. I would definitely recommend this book to others. If you want to find out more about the emotional bond between two characters, read Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern.
For the interview, I am choosing to be myself, or even someone who goes to visit the house regularly to see how Chester is doing as a service dog. I visit their house to make sure that Chester is doing his job correctly and also help train him to help further benefit his relationship with Gus.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I would describe myself as a very energetic, and generous person. I enjoy making others happy and helping them, which is my job as a service dog. In order to create a relationship with Gus, I have to be peaceful, calm, and respectful. I need to learn my boundaries around him for us to create a stable, and healthy bond.
Q: Describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
A: Some influence in my past that led me to do the things that I do today is my mother. She was always such an influence on me and my siblings. She always believed in me no matter the circumstances. She pushed me to always try harder, and always be yourself. I took these words from her as I used them to create a relationship with Gus.
Q: What is the one thing you want more than anything and what’s stopping you from getting it?
A: One thing I want more than anything is to one, create an amazing relationship with Gus, and two continue working as a service dog, and officially get certified. Some things that are stopping me from getting it, and achieving these goals is self-confidence. I need to learn to have more trust in myself and learn to always trust my instincts.
Q: Who is your best friend and why?
A: My best friend is Gus. Throughout this period of time, we have created such a strong and unbreakable bond, that I would trade for the world. We both help each other in our everyday lives and look up the other one as our role models. We started off our friendship with no bond, and now the bond that we have created between us will last forever. Gus never fails to make me smile and laugh, and I know that we both support each other no matter what.
Q: What is one thing you walked away from these events learning?
A: One thing that I walked away from these events learning is that I should always believe in myself. I had a tough childhood and never really had a support system through my siblings. I was pretty much on my own for the start of my life. When I started as a service dog, I had a lot of trouble learning to trust people again, as time passed I learned to rely on people who have your best interest at heart.
Q: What are three words you’d use to describe yourself and why those three words?
A: Three words that I would use to describe myself are energetic, respectful, and supportive. I chose these three words because this is how I feel I treated Gus while I was his service dog. When I first started working with Gus, I started off energetic, because I had never worked with anyone before. As time went on, I learned my boundaries around the house and learned to accept that Gus didn’t always need me. By doing this, it showed Gus that even if I wasn’t with him, he still had my support, and I could help him in any situation that he needed me to.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far, why?
A: My greatest achievement in life so far, would probably be leaning to become a service dog on my own, with no help, and learning to work with Gus. At the beginning when I first started this job, it wasn’t easy for me to connect with Gus. We needed to develop a relationship between us, and learn how to work with each other. Once we achieved this, it created an unbreakable bond between us, that will last forever.
Q: How do you feel about your surroundings (setting) and why?
A: I feel that my environment when I was younger was toxic, I never felt that I was able to speak up around my siblings, and I always felt like the underdog. I never knew how to act around people, and I didn’t have enough confidence like the rest of my siblings. Once I moved to Gus’ house I needed to learn my new environment, and adapt to my new surroundings.
Q: Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help and why?
A: If I was in desperate need of help, I would turn to Gus. I know that he is always there to support me, and help me if I was ever in need. We have developed a very strong friendship between each other, and have learned to accept each other’s differences and grow as a whole.
Q: Name three things you consider yourself to be good at, and three things you consider yourself to be bad at.
A: Three things that I consider myself to be good at are, understanding people’s differences and learning to accept them, helping others when in need, and putting them before myself. Lastly, learning to adapt to a constant change. Three things that I consider myself to be bad at are, having confidence in myself, and believing that I can do it, learning to respect the fact that I’m not always needed. Lastly, is to learn that it is okay to have boundaries, and set rules between each other because that is what develops a stable relationship.
This book had such a strong toll on my emotions. Chester and Gus developed their relationship in so many different ways, and in the end, they both ended up helping one and another. As time went on they learned to respect each other’s differences and change themselves for the better. The characters develop throughout the story and learn to accept change. Each character experienced their own hardships as a kid, but while Chester and Gus worked together, it benefited both of them. The connection between the characters started off slow in the beginning, but as time went on they both learned to adapt to the new change, and to each other. I would definitely recommend this book to others. If you want to find out more about the emotional bond between two characters, read Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern.
May 17, 2017
I very much like this book. It gave a thoughtful but entertaining look into the world of service dogs, and all they do for their people. I enjoyed the lighthearted telling from the perspective of Chester the dog, and the feelings that were brought up as Chester goes through his training and learns to help his person. A really great book for anyone who loves a dog in their lives, and wants to know how a dog becomes a help to their person.
September 10, 2021
Chester is training to be a service dog. He wants nothing more in life than to have an important job and help someone. But he doesn't do well with loud noises and doesn't get matched on the day the other dogs do. A little while later Gus' family takes him in with hopes that Chester will be able to help bring Gus out of his shell. Chester is a very observant dog and learns all about Gus and the ways his autism manifests. He isn't sure how much he'll be able to help Gus, but he's willing to try. However, the teacher in the classroom next door thinks he's only a distraction, his trainer thinks Chester's talents are being wasted, and Chester is frustrated with his inability to communicate his observations about Gus to Gus' parents and teacher. Can Chester stay with Gus and find ways to really help him?
This is told from the dog's point of view and includes some light fantasy in that Chester is sure he can telepathically communicate with Gus from time to time, and occasionally others. Those parts threw me a little. Other than that, I felt like this did a fantastic job of portraying the realities of life for a mostly nonverbal autistic child and his family. Chester's perspective helps readers see that despite the lack of verbal communication, such children can understand a lot and have things they love and do well. It also showed how trained animals can help people with seizures. Overall, it is a sweet dog story and empathy-building look at autism. (The author has a child with autism and thus depictions are 100% authentic.)
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Gus is injured at school once and gets black eyes.
This is told from the dog's point of view and includes some light fantasy in that Chester is sure he can telepathically communicate with Gus from time to time, and occasionally others. Those parts threw me a little. Other than that, I felt like this did a fantastic job of portraying the realities of life for a mostly nonverbal autistic child and his family. Chester's perspective helps readers see that despite the lack of verbal communication, such children can understand a lot and have things they love and do well. It also showed how trained animals can help people with seizures. Overall, it is a sweet dog story and empathy-building look at autism. (The author has a child with autism and thus depictions are 100% authentic.)
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Gus is injured at school once and gets black eyes.
May 14, 2017
Chester and Gus - Cammie McGovern I am so emotional these days that just reading the blurb made me tear up. What a good dog! I liked that it was written from the dog's perspective, and that Gus was so uncommunicative.
Library copy
Library copy
February 12, 2017
Loved this story of an autistic boy & his therapy dog. Written from the dog's pov, this is a book that will touch your heart as you read about the power of a dog's love. Highly recommend!
April 9, 2017
This book stole my heart.
I am a firm believer that animals have more capabilities than their people give them credit for. This book shows how a dog that thought of himself as a failure worked hard to find a new purpose in life.
Chester was trained to be a service dog, but after he failed his certification because he hates out noises, he thought he'd never get another chance. When a family comes along in search of a friend for their autistic son, Gus, Chester bring it upon himself to help this boy like he knows he can.
After a lot of time spent observing the boy, Chester learns the dos and don'ts of life with Gus. Don't make too much noise. Don't get too close to him. Don't lick him. Don't ask too many questions.
That's right. Chester finds himself bonded to this boy in such a way that he can't even describe it at first. Gus, who doesn't talk, seems to understand the things that Chester asks him and he answers back (some of the time). Using this new tool for communication, Chester gets Gus to trust him because he needs him now more than ever. But Chester has just been told he's not allowed in school anymore because he's not a certified service dog.
Strange things have been going on with Gus lately and it all comes to a head once the fire alarms go off at school. Being frightened at first, Chester loses track of Gus but forces his way to his boy. He finds Gus passed out in a closet and Gus is taken to the hospital for a few days.
Gus has epilepsy.
Now Chester has a renewed sense of responsibility for the boy and their relationship changes daily.
Can Chester be the dog that Gus needs him to be?
I am a firm believer that animals have more capabilities than their people give them credit for. This book shows how a dog that thought of himself as a failure worked hard to find a new purpose in life.
Chester was trained to be a service dog, but after he failed his certification because he hates out noises, he thought he'd never get another chance. When a family comes along in search of a friend for their autistic son, Gus, Chester bring it upon himself to help this boy like he knows he can.
After a lot of time spent observing the boy, Chester learns the dos and don'ts of life with Gus. Don't make too much noise. Don't get too close to him. Don't lick him. Don't ask too many questions.
That's right. Chester finds himself bonded to this boy in such a way that he can't even describe it at first. Gus, who doesn't talk, seems to understand the things that Chester asks him and he answers back (some of the time). Using this new tool for communication, Chester gets Gus to trust him because he needs him now more than ever. But Chester has just been told he's not allowed in school anymore because he's not a certified service dog.
Strange things have been going on with Gus lately and it all comes to a head once the fire alarms go off at school. Being frightened at first, Chester loses track of Gus but forces his way to his boy. He finds Gus passed out in a closet and Gus is taken to the hospital for a few days.
Gus has epilepsy.
Now Chester has a renewed sense of responsibility for the boy and their relationship changes daily.
Can Chester be the dog that Gus needs him to be?
March 8, 2018
Chester, a chocolate Labrador, tells his story. He dearly wishes to find and serve HIS human, but the story opens with his failing to become a service dog in spite of training. In a fortunate turn of events, he is placed with ten year old Gus' family to assist Gus, an autistic boy. Neither Chester nor Gus and his family are too sure about it at its outset, but it sticks. The story takes place largely at Gus' home and in his special ed. classroom. The challenges of school lead to changes of placement. The difficulties of an autistic child, both for himself and for those around him, seem genuine and accurate, and Gus is fortunate in both his loving parents and his special ed. teacher, as well as a surprising friend he makes in the school cafeteria.
I do my best to review books and rarely include personal insights, but here I must break with that. I came to the book with great hopes, having had three service dogs, all lab mixes, and with the current one being a chocolate lab mix. I have first-hand knowledge of teaching special education. Given those, I thought the situations for Gus were largely accurate and the sticky moments between the obligations of the school and the rights of the parent and child rang true. I've seen service dogs do amazing things. I did struggle with the 'communication' that Chester was capable of, however. It's a lovely notion, but... Did I expect too much? Maybe. What I felt at the conclusion was that this was a pleasant story, realistic, and would be good for a young reader.
I do my best to review books and rarely include personal insights, but here I must break with that. I came to the book with great hopes, having had three service dogs, all lab mixes, and with the current one being a chocolate lab mix. I have first-hand knowledge of teaching special education. Given those, I thought the situations for Gus were largely accurate and the sticky moments between the obligations of the school and the rights of the parent and child rang true. I've seen service dogs do amazing things. I did struggle with the 'communication' that Chester was capable of, however. It's a lovely notion, but... Did I expect too much? Maybe. What I felt at the conclusion was that this was a pleasant story, realistic, and would be good for a young reader.
February 3, 2018
Therapy/service dogs are fascinating to young readers. Chester a chocolate lab puppy in training to become a service dog, fails his important eligibility test to become a therapy dog because of his intolerance to loud noises. However he has one more chance to help "his person" when he is assigned as a companion dog to a severely autistic boy, who almost never speaks. Chester is the narrator of the story, chronicling the tale of what occurs from the moment he moves into 10-year-old Gus' home. Chester is a smart dog, and perceives the impending challenges he will face trying to help Gus. Although the talking dog narration is hard to fathom, the intuition he develops as he begins to get to know Gus' challenges as a severely autistic child trying to fit into a regular classroom, are perceptive, and believable. The reaction of Gus' parents' empathy and worry towards their child is heart wrenching and accurate since the author has an autistic child herself. This is a helpful feel good book for children to read, in order to understand how difficult autism is for a young child trying to fit in to a regular classroom.
Read
May 15, 2018HarperCollins, 2018, 272 pgs., Genre: Fiction, Grade level: 3-5, GR level: S, Lexile level: 680L
Chester and Gus is an inspiring young adult novel due to its positive perspective and outlook on life regardless of overcoming fear. This book reveals how a dog named Chester learns how to help and love his new owner Gus after failing his service dog test. At first, Chester is really challenged by Gus' behavior and decisions due to his autism. Eventually though, the two are able to overcome their fears and pursue bast them in life.
Teaching ideas:
This is a novel that should be taught and talked about, especially in the form of either a classroom read or as a book for read aloud. For a lesson to teach the children as a response to literature, I would have students write an explanatory letter to the individuals running the Service dog training area to convince them as to why Chester deserves to be a service dog and why. For this, I would have students first form a classroom discussion on the reasons in which Charlotte helps the additional family members.
NYS ELA CCS:
RI.4.3, W.4.2a (less)
Chester and Gus is an inspiring young adult novel due to its positive perspective and outlook on life regardless of overcoming fear. This book reveals how a dog named Chester learns how to help and love his new owner Gus after failing his service dog test. At first, Chester is really challenged by Gus' behavior and decisions due to his autism. Eventually though, the two are able to overcome their fears and pursue bast them in life.
Teaching ideas:
This is a novel that should be taught and talked about, especially in the form of either a classroom read or as a book for read aloud. For a lesson to teach the children as a response to literature, I would have students write an explanatory letter to the individuals running the Service dog training area to convince them as to why Chester deserves to be a service dog and why. For this, I would have students first form a classroom discussion on the reasons in which Charlotte helps the additional family members.
NYS ELA CCS:
RI.4.3, W.4.2a (less)
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